At least four people have died and dozens more were injured after two trains collided near Jakarta, Indonesia's capital, on Monday. The accident occurred when a stationary commuter train was struck from behind by a long-distance train arriving on the same track, according to state media reports.
Rescue efforts are ongoing, with officials confirming that several passengers remain trapped in the wreckage. Anne Purba, a spokesperson for state-owned railway operator KAI, stated that 38 people have been taken to nearby hospitals. "KAI expresses its deepest condolences to the victims and their families," Purba said.
The death toll may rise, warned Sufmi Dasco Ahmad, Deputy Speaker of the Indonesian House of Representatives, who visited the crash site located about 25 kilometers (15.5 miles) east of Jakarta. One passenger described screams of panic as the trains collided, while other eyewitnesses reported seeing many injured victims.
Jakarta Police Chief Insp Gen Asep Edi Suheri said six or seven people were still trapped inside the carriages. The incident adds to Indonesia's history of rail accidents, often attributed to aging infrastructure and poor maintenance. In January 2024, a similar collision in Cicalengka killed several and injured dozens more.